Wheelchair bound ;-)

[Gerry]

Had earmarked today to help daughter with some fencing she has to repair, but got a call from a contact who's with the GBR paralympic fencing squad who are in final training at Bath Uni for the London 2012 next week, so after fencing this morning (nails / hammer) I'm fencing this afternoon (epee) ;D

They are looking for some fresh blood to pratice on

Done a little wheelchair fencing at Bath Sword before and it's amazingly knackering. Your chairs are clamped down and you are set at a distance where you can both reach others arm so there just no rest where you can take a step back like in standard fencing.

Most of the guys have brilliant upper body strength too so when they take your blade it's really had to get it back before they hit you.
Should be great fun

Just though I'd share as it's a bit out of the ordinary !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ikwOXihTo

Have a great day (out on the bikes) all [smiley=thumbup.gif]

G

[Gerry]

PS... Re the Youtube clip,

The "blankets" over the laps is to stop "off target" hits.
In standard epee the whole body is target, head to toe and front & back, but in wheelchair epee only the top half of you counts.

As a "foot specialist" like I am it's not easy lol

I've also made some great hits to the wheels and chair (which don't count) ;D Neither does giving the buggers a puncture 8-)

[Dabz]

Looks difficult!

[Gerry]

This might be the end to the shortest WB thread on record ;D

Did my bit yesterday, went with a mate from Warminster club, brilliant fun.
Just got to fence the womens squad who are all young and really excited about going to compete.
The whole squad is very young (average age 20) when the international average age is 34, but they are using London 2012 to gain experience for Rio 2016 where they have much bigger plans.

Half way through the session my mate came up to me looking dejected, after asking him "what's up" he just said "I've just been beaten by a fourteen year old girl ... with one leg" ;D

High point for me was falling out of the chair three times whilst trying to get that bit of extra reach lol

GBR's first fight is with the Hungarian team (very high quality bunch) so I wish them all the very best of luck.

I know a fair number of you are not that into sports (no, golf isn't a sport Kev) but you have to admire these Paralympians no matter what they compete in.

Good Luck GBR [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[DaytonaDog]

Nothing but admiration for our paralympians who are an inspiration. I hope to see the day when the olympics and paralympics are run as one event.